Oxidative damage, total antioxidant capacity and body mass index in Relation to Severity of HIV in Nigerian Patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the plasma levels of some oxidative damage products and antioxidant capacity; and investigate relationship between body mass index (BMI) and oxidative damage parameters in three severity groups of HIV patients compared with non-HIV-infected controls. Methods: Plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO) and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP) were estimated spectrophotometrically and BMI measured in controls and patients with CD4 counts of 500 cells/µl (group1), 200-499 (group2) and <200 (group 3) Results: PCO, AOPP, MDA, increased significantly (p<0.0001) while TAC reduced significantly (p<0.0001) in all HIV groups compared with control Intra group comparisons of MDA, PCO and AOPP also increased significantly (p<0.0001) and  TAC reduced significantly (P<0.001) when compared with each other.  BMI and weight of group 3 was significantly reduced when compared with control (p<0.05) but no difference between groups 1 and 2 and control (P>0.05).  BMI was positively correlated with TAC (p<0.05), CD4+ count (p<0.001), but negatively correlated with MDA (p<0.001), PCO (p<0.01) and AOPP (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we recommend routine BMI or weight measurement and antioxidants supplementation in HIV subjects which is hoped to strengthen the immune system and reduce the oxidative damage. Association of MDA with BMI was strongest followed by PCO while AOPP was least. BMI is a reflection of oxidative damage in HIV infection.